Part 7A - Introduction to the functions in the first-century church and how the earliest Christians were empowered to perform them.

This 13-part series of classes has been many years in the making. About 25 years ago I began in earnest to examine the features, character and characteristics of the church as it existed in its earliest years. As I sometimes do, I kept my notes all along the way, and this series of classes is to a
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I know most of you have heard the song 'Try a Little Tenderness'; well, today we are going to ‘practice a little kindness’.
The media is noisy these days with opinions about controversial issues. People on both sides of these issues advocate for something they call “kindness.” But, what sort of
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Maybe they call it a relationship because it can seem like we're on a ship. Sometimes the seas are nice and calm and sometimes they are stormy. And sometimes it can go from calm to stormy in a matter of moments. We need to learn how to navigate.

CONDUCTING HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS
Maybe they call it a relation-ship because in our relationships it can seem like we're on a ship. Sometimes the seas are nice and calm and sometimes they are stormy. And there are times when it goes from calm to stormy in a matter of moments. This is how it often
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Last week I talked about the importance of being in the moment. But being in the moment doesn't mean we don't prepare. Being prepared is important; especially when it comes to doing the Lord's work. Let's see what the bible has to say about it.

BE PREPARED
Last week I talked about the importance of being in the moment. It's important to not dwell on the past or worry about the future but to be here now and enjoy the moment. But being in the moment doesn't mean we don't prepare. Being prepared is important; especially when it comes to
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God has the answers for our anger. We need to:
1. See the ugliness of our ungodly anger.
2. Accept the ownership of our anger.
3. Consider the cause of our anger.
4. Trust Christ to help us control our anger.
5. Forgive as we have been forgiven.

God’s Answers for Our Anger
Ephesians 4:20-32
Sermon by Rick Crandall
Grayson Baptist Church - Jan. 14, 2018
BACKGROUND:
*Please open your Bibles to Ephesians 4 to see what God has to say about our anger. Here Paul is speaking to Christians, and on some level, all of us have to face up to
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Looks at the difference between between being immature spiritually and spiritually mature and how to grow.

“Childish Things”
January 14, 2018
Ephesians 4:11-15
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of
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Likewise for us when we are aligned to God's Word and Will for our lives we are in convergence. (If lines, roads, or paths converge, they move towards the same point : when we head in the same direction with God!)

Ephesians 4:11-12King James Version (KJV)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
There are 2 key words in these verses
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A look at the Kingdom Now / Five-Fold Ministry teaching and the Authority and Gifting of Every Believer

Jesus dwells in every Born-Again Christian, and they have complete access to the fullness of God. He is as He has always been and as He will always be (See Heb 13:8). The supernatural gifts and governmental authority have been given to every Christian to edify and perfect them as needed at any
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A message as part of a 25 year anniversary of celebration of being in our new location.

25 Year Anniversary
October 29, 2017
Matthew 28:16-20
Ephesians 4:1-7
If you were leaving someone and wouldn’t see them for a long time, would you not tell them some things you would like them to do? Maybe you encourage them to do certain things and at the same time you warn them not to do
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This sermon deals with how we are to grow in God's grace through taking off the old and and putting on the new.

God’s Growing Grace
Ephesians 4:22-24
An oxymoron is not someone who is foolish with a bad complexion. It’s a figure of speech using words that seemly contradict each other yet has a special meaning to create a special effect like, “A wise fool,” “Cruel Kindness,” “Thunderous silence,” or “Make
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It is not enough to be saved. We are not to sit on the sidelines but instead to "Get in the Game." That is where we are needed and there is where we are to be according to our Lord Jesus Christ.

CALL to WORSHIP
We are here in Your House once again to worship You and Your Name.
We ask to be blessed and anointed this morning.
Tell us O Lord, what we must do to complete Thy Work.
Hear Us as we ask for Your consideration on matters of importance to You.
Give us Peace and Joy as ONLY You
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To establish that Christians are charged to “stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.” The unity of the Spirit and the bond of peace should be the mission of every congregation.

INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. Suitable Character in Gospel Affairs
2. Standing Fast in One Spirit
3. Striving Together with One Mind
Remarks.
1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing the theme: “The faith of the gospel.” Our text reads: “Only let your conversation be as it becometh
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Membership in a local church isn't about having your name on the membership rolls, but about being an active participant as a part of the body of believers. God can only help the church to fulfill its design as each member functions effectively as a part

Five Essentials of Being an Effective Member in the Body of Christ
Ephesians 4: 7-16
Membership in a local church isn't about having your name on the membership rolls, but about being an active participant as a part of the body of believers. Each member of the body must function effectively
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We have lots of good reasons to forgive others who hurt us, but the best reason to forgive is because God has forgiven us so much more. When we learn to appreciate the full extent of God's grace, we can practice giving away that grace to others.

Matthew 18:21-35
The Best Reason to Forgive
At some point, every one of us has been hurt, sometimes quite deeply. Maybe somebody here today is hurting. The question is, will you be able to forgive and let go, to move forward with your life? Forgiveness is a choice. You don’t have to forgive,
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